Folding stock for automatic firearms



July 29, 1947. e. w. PATCHETT FOLDING STOCK FOR AiJTOMATiC FIREARMS Filed Feb. 25, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 July 29, 1947. s. ,w. PATCHETT FOLDiNG STOCK FOR AUTOMATIC FIREARMS 2 SheatsSheet 2 Filed Feb. 23, 1944 A tto e Patented July 29,1947

2,424,944 FOLDING s'roox non AUTOMATIC FIRE ARMS

George William Patchett, Chigwell, England Application February 23, 1944, Serial No. 523,569 In Great Britain May 26, 1943 Claims. (01. 42-42) This invention relates to improvements in folding stock for automatic firearms, and has more particular reference though without limitation to the class of weapons known as machine carbines, and the object of the invention is to provide carbines of the above type with a hinged and foldable butt capable of extension rear of the carbine for operative use, but collapsible at will and foldable about the under side of the weapon with no loose part or parts extending beyond the confines of the weapon itself. A further object of the invention is to so devise the said butt that the operation of opening to operative position and folding to an inoperative condition can be achieved with the minimum of efiort and time, and of providing a butt that when extended is rigid in all directions.

To secure the butt in a state of fixity for operation, a locking device is provided forming part of or attached to the end cap or recoil spring retainer, the latter being capable of small movement axially of the spring casing, the main recoil spring automatically locking said cap to the butt, and means whereby said cap after engagement is prevented from subsequent movement except at will.

By reason of the construction employed, the

additional weight is small and there are no projections when the butt is folded likely to catch in loose equipment of the user. With the butt folded the balance of the carbine is not impaired and the weapon can be used folded for firin at close range, or with the butt extended the weapon can be fired from the shoulder, as a carbine, at longer ranges. With the butt in the folded position accessibility to the trigger mechanism is not impaired and the balance of the weapon remains satisfactory.

The invention consists of an articulated triangular butt for machine carbines and the like comprising a forked compound upper main member pivoted to the Weapon at the rear of the pistol stock and adapted in its operative position to engage with and be locked to the carbine end cap, a strut hinged to said main member intermediate its length, a butt plate hinged to said strut and urged under spring pressure to engage at its end remote from its pivot the terminal of the upper main member and be locked thereto. The carbine end cap .with its butt locking device is fixed to the spring casing with a bayonet joint. The end cap has sulficient axial movement, against the recoil spring pressure, to enable the lugs on the forked main member to be raised to the required position and locked therewith by the re- 2 turn movement of the end cap under the recoil spring pressure. An independently operated locking means prevents axial movement of the end cap unless desired. The butt strut is provided with a spring-loaded plunger engaging the tail of the butt plate, said plunger carrying a hook pin capable of snap locking the butt in its folded condition to the forward end of the barrel casing of the carbine.

In order to' more fully describe the invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, wherein a preferred embodiment of the said invention is set forth and wherein:

Fig. 1 is a-part sectional elevation of a machine carbine fitted with the folding butt in its extended or operative position,

, Figi 21s an elevation of the carbine with the butt in its folded position,

Fig. 3 i's a plan of Fig.1,

' Fig. 4 is a cross section at line AA, Fig, l, Fig. 5 is a cross section on line B-B, Fig. 1,

Fig. 6' is an end elevation of the back cap.

Fig; 7 is a cross section of the compound main upper member on line C-C, Fig.

Fig. Sis a cross section of cap on line D-D,

"Fig.9 is adetail View of an alternative method of locking the butt to the barrel casing cap.

Referring'to the drawings, the carbine illustrated has a barrel casing l a pistol grip 2, a trigger 3, a trigger guard 4, a recoil spring casing la, and an end cap 6. Attached to the recoil spring casing id is afbracket 1 (see Fig. 5) having opposed'circular bushes '8 upon which are pivotally mounted the extremities of the forked forward end 9 of the compound upper main member referred to as awhole as F. These arms are secur'ed'in position 0n the bushes 8 by pins l0 which are secured in position by cross pins II. The forked arms of the member Fare contracted at I2 and provided with a yoke plate I3 at the point of contraction, the member F extending rearward and terminating with a second yoke plate l4. Pivoted to the member F at P5 is a strut 'G preferably formed as a tubular entity and having a spring stop IS, a spring I! and a sliding plunger l8 carrying a catch I 9. The

plunger 18 is recessed as shown at 20 and accom modates'in said recess ahinge pin 2| upon which butt plate H is pivoted. The butt plate is provided with a contact nose 22 engaging the end of the sliding plunger l8 whereby the said butt plate is normally pressed to occupy a spring-controlled position-whereby its upper end 23 can engage the terminal of the member F. A step 25 integral nal portion of the recoil spring casing I (see Figsi The forked membenF pivoted. atlll. is made of sufiicient width to swingclear ofvthe; pistol grip stock 2 and nest on the under side of 4: and 6).

the carbine in the position shown in Fig.2: when; the folding butt is swung into, its forwardiriopr is available. Further, the butt formed as a skeletonised entity possesses but little weight, does not upset the balance of the weapon in use, and is, moreover, capable of being folded within the confines of the gun so that no protruding part occurs when the butt is folded into its inoperative position.

t Instead? of employing-the ears 3;I- on the plate lfi 't-o cooperate with the" recesses" Men the cap 6 to secure the butt in its operative position, a pair of separat lugs 3la may be fitted to the forked mime of: the member F and arranged to engage im notches in the rear side of the lug attached to erative position the strut Guestsr-netweeruthe'."

side pieces of the member The butt plate His first drawn forward, whereby the contact nose 221 presses back the sliding bolt l8, allowing the catch lQ-llQBIltBI aslot 3.,5 in the substanfiepfrthe carbine gun banrel: casing I By now-folding the-buttplatereanward andinward, the catch l 9, looks :the. butt assembly into the position: shown ;in full line in 2, the butt plate being folded backwarda so; that; its ears; 26 grip theouter sides of the; compound-member; F. The catch 19 locks the buttz assembly, into- 1205i? tion shown in Fig. 2.

The end can li isilocked againsttaxialr movement ,byrmeansoia.,lockbar-4\01,piaoted, atMr-between lugs 42; said-' bar-Manambe-Vchamfenedr at its rear portion 13 and-is pmvided-iwithasprins 44: and an inserted. limitingistop 45. The rea ward end'ofzthe lock -bar Mlbearsagainst thaion- Ward face of the cap 6."

The operation. of, the dGViQBriST aaiollows 1- Assuming the butt to be-inaitsffoldedtand nested condition as shown in Fig.12;;theabuttlplate l-l is pulled in an arcuate; direction aboutl ts B vfltfl l which causes? the ontact: nosa. 22a press aback the sliding; bolt. l81 andecatchil8 disengagin therebythe-membdliSzC-Er amia from'the gun barrel casing. The butt. is HQWTfKQE?tQ-SWi-I1E; aboutiits pivot: [0,; into the positioneshQw-naintl ig. -1. r The locking bar 40 'is now tilted about its pivotnbx applying; pressure-oven theeinsert, 4,5 "which; tilts the barolutzoi theath (at-movemen of l ther. can 6, whichis freeto be'pressed f orward ag,ainst.;the recoilispring; 34; Thisz enables =-the ears\ 3i oft the yoke plate I (i to enter, the slot -32,-,in- ==the 1ug.;3,3. 0151:1116 cap andiby; leaving go of the caQ-themecoilpring-Miorces the cap baokagain toeits limiting position as, shown, in 1 Fig, l, aI1d-.,-tha:l0cking;hal7 40 returnssto itsrnormal lockedposition preventing any movementloftthegcapr By these means the member Fis now securelyloekedsinlitsgreareward and extended position, The: butt .plate, is nowgrasped and thetstrlutvGl caused at, its upperend, 3,0 vto contact; with: theyoke plates: l The underside; of the member, Fengagescirrthe step; 255cm, butt plate-H whlch isthfin-heldaa ainst the member F- byrthe sprin loaided plunKGr; Ill; and forms: inconjunctionwith ,thestrut aestifii triangular; arrangem nt.., Th rwidthlof the butt plate may beyaried within, reasonable limits. d8?- pendin pon-calibre; of the carbine with which it: is; employed: but; thezdimensionssshowniin the lan of; Fig; 3-nroyi1euflicient SI1I30QfQll ih user not to feel; the GfiBQ l' Y Cf; constantfiring; he. folding; butt; in its; operative; position con -1 stitutesg a rigidv entity;- withi: he carbiner itselfi When the butt: is ,;-col1apsed-. f or: the: plll'l iflses ofz folding: irrzitsznestechp sition .beneath the;v an-e1 oithe;carbines.,ample-spaceriomtrigeerpperation;

the cap, as shown in Fig. 9, the operation being otherwise 'thesame as hereinbefore described in connectionhwith the lugs 3 I.

I claim:-

1. The combination of an automatic firearm comprising a casing having a main recoil spring therein, a butt pivoted to said casing to swing into an extended position at the rear of the firear-m and into a folded position alongthe length thereof; and means biased by said main recoil spring foir holdingthebuttin said extendedposit tion.-

The combination of an automatic firearm comprising acasing having a main recoil spring therein; a-butt pivoted to said casing to swing into-an extendedposition at the rear of the firearm and into afolded position along the length thereof, andmeans-biased by said main recoil spring for locking thebuttin said extended position and: releasable by movement of said means against theaction-of said spring.

3: The combination of a firearm comprising a casinghaving arecoil spring therein, acap engaged and movable by. said spring axially'of-sai'd casing and providing aclosure for the rear end of said casing; abutt pivoted to said casin'g to swing into an operative position to extendrearwardly fromthefirearm and into a foldedposition" along 'thelength thereof; and means: on said cap and"butt-"coopera'tive; to'h0lfd1the buttjin said rearwardly' extenddoperative position under the action 'ofsaidspring and releasablelby, movement of, said cap axially of said casing against. the action jofgsai'd'spring. V

.4; A; folding rbutt for a firearm consisting of three membersa pair of which arepivotally connec'tedandl'the thirdmember pivotally connected to one ,ofjsaidpair of members andlengageable with the. other of. said pair of members to form artriangle, one. ofusaid members having ,an,,exten. sion providedywith) means .for. pivotallyl attaching it to, a. firearm, and cooperating means on. the firearm and! the, butt'for; locking the latter, in extended position at the rear of the firearm.

5. The combination according to. claim- 3, whereinlsaidiholdingl means ,compriselugs onsaid butt-constructed vand arranged to engage and: interlockz recesses; formed in; a lug integral with'said; cap.

6; The combination according toclaims 3;

' wherein. said can-has a=bayonet joint connection with .saidmasinfi; and-has limited-axial movement On -said casing;- to lockandrelease-thebutt.

7.,A buttforat firearm-1 comprising a;

memberhaving means A at one; endfor; QiVOlZELH'Y-r attaching -lit-vto afirearm; a: strutmemben pivoted: at; onesendzto said imainlmember 'ata; pointbetween its ;ends;,--;andaa butt plate member pivotally,

connectedto :the other end of said; strut member; and engageableywith the,- end of; said-main -mem.-

'heropposite to; its; pivoted. end- :toform; 'a1rig-idtriangular structure, and locking means between the strut member and the butt plate member.

8. A butt for a firearm, comprising a. main member having means at one end for pivotally connecting it to the underside of a firearm to swing into an extended position at the rear of the firearm and into a folded position beneath the firearm, a strut member pivoted at one end to said main member at a point between its ends, and a butt plate member pivoted to the other end of said strut member and engageable with the end of the main member opposite to its pivoted end to form with said main and strut members a rigid triangular structure.

9. The combination according to claim 3, in cluding a hand stock and a trigger on the underside of said firearm, and. wherein said butt is forked to provide a pair of limbs of a length to pass the hand stock and trigger while being swung into a folded position along and beneath the firearm.

10. The combination according to claim 3, wherein said casing on said firearm is provided with a slot in its underside, and a spring-impelled catch on said butt engageable in said slot to lock said butt in fixed folded position beneath the firearm.

11. The combination of a firearm comprising a casing having a slot in its underside, a butt comprising a. main member having means at one end thereof for pivotally connecting it to the firearm to swing into an operative position extended from the rear of the firearm and into a folded inoperative position beneath the firearm, a strut member pivoted at one end to said main member at a point between its ends, a butt plate member having a pivot pin at one end pivotally connecting it to the other end of said strut member, means at the opposite end of said butt plate member to cooperate with the end of said main member remote from its pivoted end to form a rigid triangular structure, a spring-loaded plun er in the end of said strut member adjacent to said .pivot pin and acting on the adjacent end of said butt plate member to hold it in cooperating relation with said main member, and a catch carried by said plunger and engageable in said slot in said casing to releasably hold the butt in folded position beneath the firearm.

12. The combination according to claim 11,

wherein said spring-loaded plunger is normally active to hold said butt plate member in folded main member and is retracted relation with said to release said catch by pivotal movement of said butt plate member into an angular position relatively to said main member,

13. A folding butt for firearms, comprising a main member having means for pivotally .connecting it to a firearm, a strut member pivotally connected at One end to said main member, means for limiting the angular movement of said strut member about its pivotal connection relatively to said main member, a butt plate having a pivot pin connecting it to said strut member, a spring-impelled sliding plunger at the end of said strut member remote from its pivotal connection to said main member and recessed to accommodate said pivot pin, said butt plate having a nose contacting said plunger whereby said butt plate has impelled angular movement about said pivot pin for operative assembly of the butt.

14. A folding butt for firearms, comprising a main member having pivot means for connecting it to a firearm, a strut member hinged at one end to said main member, and a butt plate having a pivot pin connecting it to said strut member, said butt plate being of channel cross-section and having terminal ears thereon, said ears remote from said pivot pin being engageable with said main member at the nd thereof remote from said pivot means, locking means 'on said butt plate to cooperate with said end of said main member to form with said main and strut members a rigid structure, and said ears adjacent to said pivot pin carrying said pin, said butt plate having a .contact nose thereon adjacent to said pivot pin, and a sliding plunger on said struct and engaging said nose.

15. A folding butt according to claim 14, wherein said plunger is spring-loaded, and acts to lock said butt plate to said end of said main member for operative use of the butt, and to hold the butt plate in inoperative relation to said main member when folded.

GEORGE WILLIAM PATCHETT.

. REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,293,128 Fortin Aug. 18, 1942 305,537 Schwatka Sept. 23, 1884 1,096,861 Redfield May 19, 1914 1,315,215 Davidson Sept. 9, 1919 

